Howard Elmo Knight, a resident of Bogalusa, was born Feb. 18, 1947, and passed away on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, from diabetic complications.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Dorothy and Kirby Thomas.

He is survived by his brothers, Mack (Ruby) Knight of Slidell and George Michael (Pricilla) Knight of Gautier, Miss.; three nephews; and two nieces.

Elmo was a very giving person and leaves behind many that loved him. If Elmo was your friend, you had a friend for life. Elmo loves six very special friends, which he has had for at least 60 years, Rick Anderson, Henry Vernon, Kent Vernon, Willard Pope, Clifford Pennington and Doug Williams.

Elmo served in the United States Army for 11 years as SP5. He retired from the Washington Parish Correctional Center and was a security guard at North Shore Mall for 15 years. He was a member of Highland Baptist Church in Bogalusa and a member of Center Masonic Lodge No. 244 in Bogalusa.

Visitation will be held at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home on Sunday, March 1, 2015, from noon until 2 p.m. The funeral services will be held at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Ronnie Chiasson officiating.

Interment will follow at Ponemah Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Magic City American Legion Post No. 24.

The active pallbearers will be Rick Anderson, Henry Vernon, Doug Williams, John Woodward, John Knight and James Knight.

To view and sign the register book online, visit pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.